Proverbs 17:3 – The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.
Every situation we are in and every relationship we have the Lord uses as a crucible to draw out two things. One is all the negative fleshly things to expose them that we might let them go. The other is to reveal the gold or the righteousness of God that we have become as it says in 2 Cor 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” He says that in the world we will have tribulation, but to be of good cheer because He has overcome. We are overcomers. In Romans 8:28 it says that He causes all things to work out for good. The good is that our true selves, new selves are being revealed. Our true selves are flowing with the fruits of the Spirit as it says in Gal 5:1, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
The Lord has been preparing us in intimacy with Him for what He is about to do across the whole world. He’s peeling away the old that we would emerge as He has wrought us full of wisdom and holiness because this next move of God will be like no other. It will be several degrees increase of power and anointing above previous outpourings. It’s going to require an ability to walk in our true identity. It will be a genuine walk in our higher selves that’s not legalistic, rule keeping or performing for God. We won’t be able to fake it. It will be natural and second nature to walk in newness of heart, mind and soul. We can’t rush it, but we are encouraged to be proactive with the realities of life that are front of us. We are called upon to chose what our higher selves would and that higher self is Jesus in us. We would do what He would do as new creations. We are currently becoming the perfect landing strip onto which heaven will fall. Our closeness to Him will prevent us from the abuses of past revivals and misguided religious practices. He’s showing me that we are crowning like an infant ready to be birthed or breaking out of the chrysalis like a butterfly.
In Galatians 5:1 it says, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” In Colossians 3:1-3 it says, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” We are being called upon to make choices to walk in love with all patience, kindness, forgiveness, selflessness and honor among all other good attitudes and behaviors. This is where peace is. This is the kingdom He lives in and He wants to bring that kingdom to Earth through us.
All that we are going through in every circumstance and relationship is shaping us to shine with His brilliant glory of love for the world. He’s revealing that we are clothed with the new self, the image of Him our Creator. We’re being refined as His ambassadors.
Ephesians 4:22-24 – You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Romans 8:5 – Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Audio Sermon on The Crucible June 22, 2024